I don't really know where to start, so lets start with recent events. Friday I was referred to a Rheumatologist by my cardiologist because he did some labs on me ESR (Sed rate) and CRP (C-Reactive Protein) blood tests on me and came back abnormal. Based on this and my case. Unfortunately I can't get into to see the new specialist till the 23rd, which sucks because now I'm even more worried along with not feeling good.

2nd thing I want to discuss is how long I've been ill with various ongoing symptoms that keep piling on and what they are.

For the last 4 years or so I have been having a really hard time with dizziness, lightheadedness, cognitive issues, extreme thinning of my hair, GI problem (gastritis), nausea, severe VIT D defficiancy (even though I've been on a 50k IU regimen), rashes on my face/arms that are extremely red and hot like a fever but are in patches on my skin, low grade fever off and on, SEVERE fatigue, Tachycardia with SVT (supraventricular tachycardia or PSVT) which has severely dibilitated my life, Asthma/COPD, Heat and Cold intolerance, Chest pains all the time, whole body weakness and body aches and pains. And the inability to stand/walk for very long. Weight gain. Severe depression and anxiety with panic attacks, easy bruising, intolerance to a lot of medications...

I could go on and on with more symptoms but I'm sure I've already lost you all.. lol

Anyways I have had several GP's that ignored most of my symptoms and just wanted to label me as just having mental problems and want to throw psych meds at me. However my cardiologist listens and finally did some tests that showed abnormal and is sending me to a Rheumy and I'm praying to finally get some answers because I have been on the brink of admitting myself into the mental hospital for suicidal thoughts, I'm so tired of suffering and not getting answers.

1 thing that did happen for me that was positive is I was finally awarded disability after 2 1/2 years of waiting. Because of my heart and lung issues as well as my mental problems (which I still think is a symptom then the cause).

I have also been seeing a chiropractor due to my scoliosis, disc degenerative disease and severe reverse curve of my cervical spine which intensifies my neurological problems.

Do you all think it could be lupus too? And did you have abnormal CRP and ESR blood results? What else needs to be done to diagnose me?

11-15-2010, 04:02 PM

Peridot_Gem

Hello Sefauna,
Welcome to the WHL and you've joined a wonderful large family here, always ready to give support and help.
No your not going mad mate, i've suffered alot of your symptoms and i have manic depression and that's a well known nightmare on it's own never mind anything else. With everything your going through i am glad for you that your finally going to Rheumatology, i'm under them and still waiting more blood results and to hear about x-rays they've took besides being under the skin specialist as i'm suffering bad with my skin each year they're moving me onto something else.
With everything you've mentioned i'd definitely say you have it, so forget the attitude with other doctor's and what they think you are it's just that alot of them today don't want to genuinley help patients and pull their fingers out, it gets me so mad.

All the best Terri xxx

11-15-2010, 07:03 PM

Sefauna

Thanks for your reply, I always seem to be a thread killer so I don't generally get many responses.. ugh

11-15-2010, 07:31 PM

tgal

Hi Serfauna,

Welcome to WHL! We are so glad that you found us. I am so sorry that you are going through this. I am also glad that you are going to see a rhuemy. Hopefully you will get a good one who can give you the answers you are looking for. Until that time just remember that we are here for you. Many of us have been on the same roller coaster that you are on and we understand completely! Feel free to vent any time

11-15-2010, 09:26 PM

Han

Hey Sefauna,

I'm a new member, too! Hi! I'm glad you've found a doctor that decided that just because there are some mental issues present doesn't mean that there are physical ones also. I know for me that was half the battle. I hope the rhuem is helpful.

As a sufferer of severe depression (now under control, drug free for four months, yay me!) can I give you a little bit of insight into what I've found with my journey? Regardless of any physical illness, mental health needs to be taken care of. I guess I'm trying to say that yes, depression may be caused or heightened through chronic illness, but we have the resources within us to learn to manage the depression. When I was first diagnosed with a depression/anxiety disorder I was medicated and that was it. And I wound up committed. Best thing that ever happened to me, honestly. I started group therapy, and individual counselling sessions with a psych. It's taken a couple of years, but the payoff as far as mental health goes in beyond belief. Don't get me wrong, I do still have "lumpy" days, and I get the odd panic attack, but nothing compared to how I'd lived my life before-hand.

Sorry to hi-jack, but I'm trying to say that if depression or anxiety is a part of your life, get referred to a good counsellor who can help you with Cognitive Therapy, learning to manage your problems. In Australia the govt will cover 6-18 sessions/year if you get a mental health care plan from your GP. If money is an issue, I find Feeling Good by Dr David Burns to be a great self-help manual, you could get it out of the library and learn some of the techniques. I still go to a member-run mental health group, and I'm certainly glad to have found WHL. Good luck, and I hope you find peace!

Hugs, Hx

11-16-2010, 02:11 AM

kim,l

Welcome to the sight stefauna i to had a lot of the same symptoms as you did over the years and spent 5 months in a rehab because i could not walk and was told by doctors that it was all in my head and put me on anti depressant then my gp did tests and it revealed i had signs of lupus and the rheumi confirmed so i was not going mad after all hang in there hope you get answers very soon we have all faced the same disbelieving doctors before getting answers hugs kim l

11-16-2010, 08:45 AM

Peridot_Gem

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sefauna

Thanks for your reply, I always seem to be a thread killer so I don't generally get many responses.. ugh

Hello Sefauna, don't look down at yourself refering talking and adding threads. We're totally different people on here to where you must have been, just look positive mate, i know it's not always easy as i'm there myself alot of the time but thinking positive will help in some cases.

Takecare Terri xxx

11-16-2010, 11:20 AM

Sefauna

Thanks guys, I'll keep everyone up to date. My appointment is the 23rd, wish it was sooner.

11-18-2010, 10:38 AM

Saysusie

Hi Sefauna;
I cannot add anything better to what has already been said to you. I just wanted to make sure that I welcomed you to our family. Please do let us know how your appointment goes :-)

Peace and Blessings
Namaste
Saysusie

11-23-2010, 08:08 PM

Sefauna

Saw the Rheumatologist today, he was pretty nice, he ordered a bunch of blood work and a urine test. I go back next Tuesday to go over results etc.. I hope this guy is good he used to work at the Mayo clinic in Michigan so I'm hoping so. I'll keep everyone up to date on results.